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Unrest in Ibadan as houses, cars were burnt

Unrest in Ibadan as houses, cars were burnt

Many properties were destroyed in the Isale – Osi , Born Photo and Gidarami areas of Ibadan , Oyo State .

Multiple reports showed that the clash began on Sunday and continued on Monday as residents fled their homes .

A witness said many of the suspected hoodlums sustained machete injuries, while others were stabbed with knives and broken bottles.

The witness , who is also a resident of the area , said the clash was caused by the death of a notorious gang leader , who was said to have been killed by members of the rival group during a party in the area last week.

“ The gangs are from Popoyemoja and Born Photo areas in Ibadan . One of the leaders of the gang was killed last week at a party . His members alleged that he was killed by a rival group and they planned to avenge his death . They came on Sunday night ; but it was not a serious clash.

“ On Monday , they returned and a fight broke out between the two groups . They started burning shops and destroying vehicles and houses . They used guns , knives, machetes , broken bottles and other dangerous objects in the fight . Several members of the gangs were injured . We had to flee the area for fear of being caught up in the fight . They targeted any house where any member of the rival cult lived in . My sister ’ s shop was burnt , with goods worth thousands of naira destroyed . As they unleashed mayhem, they sang war songs , ” said the witness , who spoke on condition of anonymity .

He added that when the targeted rival members fled , the hoodlums refused to leave , targeting relatives of their perceived enemies .

A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly , Kehinde Subair , was said to have earlier visited scenes of the clash.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police , Abiodun Odude, who confirmed the mayhem, said some arrests had been made and that normalcy had returned to the areas .
“ Two rival groups fought in the areas , but normalcy has returned .

“ We made some arrests and investigation is ongoing . Police will not tolerate activities of hoodlums in the state .

“ Our men are still on the ground to forestall further clash and disturbance in the areas by the groups , ” he said .